Each year the NCAA Division III Football Playoff Committee announces which 32 teams have been selected to participate in the championship tournament. However, teams desiring to host games leading to Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (the national championship game) must have athletic directors that are not only proactive – they must be a bit clairvoyant as well.
“The bid process to host a playoff game starts several weeks prior to a team being selected by the committee,” said Joseph Haklin, Director of Athletics and Campus Wellness at Wabash College in Indiana. “The first three weeks in October we are placing a bid each week, hoping to be chosen to host each round. Of course, our team still has to win to be officially awarded the next round’s game.”
Although a school may secure what is essentially a home game, the NCAA requires the contest be treated as if it were at a neutral site. “At a regular season game, our public address announcer may show some excitement and favoritism toward Wabash, but not at a playoff game,” said Haklin.
Additionally, the NCAA supplies an extensive packet to host schools with stringent guidelines to be followed, including:
No free passes. During the regular season, some institutions may provide free entry for employees (and their families) and others. Each spectator must purchase a ticket to a playoff game.
Maximizing revenue. If the venue is not enclosed to prevent onlookers from seeing the playing field, the host school is required to construct sight barriers (wind screens, fencing, etc.).
Proper signage. The NCAA protects its product. If it is determined an advertisement at the facility is a conflict of interest, or not within the approved guidelines, the host school is required to remove or cover the signage in question.
Thomas More College is located in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. With its stadium located in a area below the parking area, and a lot of green space on the hillside of the facility, the sight barrier restriction is not a problem. “Everyone buys a ticket as they enter the parking lot,” said athletic director Terry Connor. “A lot of our fans choose to sit outside the venue. It’s not a problem because they cannot enter the parking area without first paying for a ticket.”
Both Connor and Haklin mentioned the scrutiny the NCAA has regarding the 500-mile travel rule, which states any team traveling more than that distance must travel by air. If less than 500-miles, the team travels by bus. “The committee tries to be very cost effective and travel is a consideration in awarding a host assignment,” said Haklin.
“We will host any round we can host,” said Connor. “It’s all based on geography, though, and under the 500 miles plays a big part in the decision-making.”
Haklin benefits from Wabash hosting several playoff games in the past, and is quick to point out his department has an efficient process. “We have an internal meeting with about 10 of our school employees,” said Haklin. “Then we have our checklists based on the NCAA packet provided each year, and there are the national conference calls with organization personnel, and meeting with the site representative prior to each game.”
“It’s important to become familiar with local business,” said Haklin. “We have to provide incoming teams with ideas of where to hold team meals as well as setting up hotel accommodations for the visiting team, the officials and the NCAA site rep.”
Hosting a playoff game can and cannot mean additional gate revenues. “We get good media coverage around here for a small school,” said Connor. “Lots of locals and alums come to Thomas More games, and the playoffs usually bring 500 or more in the stands. A lot depends on the weather, though.”
Haklin has a different take on the attendance subject. “We have a good following, but the first round usually comes at a time when our students are on break. We do seem to gather steam when advancing in each additional round.” Like Connor, Haklin acknowledged the fact the weather plays on attendance. “The weather tends to be much colder this time of year.”
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